Estimate Your EU261 Claim
Use this calculator to get a fast estimate of your potential compensation for flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding under EU261.
What is the EU261 compensation calculator?
The EU261 compensation calculator is a quick tool to estimate how much you could claim when your flight is heavily delayed, cancelled, or you are denied boarding. EU261 (officially Regulation (EC) No 261/2004) protects many passengers traveling to, from, or within Europe, and can award fixed compensation amounts based on distance and disruption severity.
This page gives you a practical estimate, not legal advice. Real outcomes can vary based on airline evidence, case law, and facts such as operational logs, weather reports, and rerouting details.
How EU261 compensation is usually calculated
1) Check if your flight is covered
- Covered: flights departing from an EU/EEA/UK/CH airport (any airline).
- Also covered: flights arriving to an EU/EEA/UK/CH airport if operated by an EU/EEA/UK/CH airline.
- Common exclusion: flights from outside to outside Europe are generally not covered by EU261.
2) Confirm disruption type and delay threshold
- Delay: usually 3+ hours arrival delay for compensation.
- Cancellation: eligibility depends on how much notice you got and rerouting conditions.
- Denied boarding: involuntary denial can trigger compensation, especially overbooking cases.
3) Apply the distance band
- Up to 1,500 km: €250
- 1,501 to 3,500 km: €400
- Over 3,500 km: €600
In some rerouting scenarios, airlines may lawfully reduce compensation by 50% if your arrival delay on the replacement flight was limited.
When airlines can refuse compensation
Even if your delay was long, compensation may be denied if the airline proves extraordinary circumstances that could not be avoided despite reasonable measures.
Typical examples
- Severe weather making operation unsafe
- Air traffic control restrictions or airspace closures
- Security risks or urgent airport-wide disruption
Often disputed examples
- Routine technical faults (often not extraordinary)
- Crew scheduling issues
- Late incoming aircraft due to normal operations
How to use this EU261 compensation calculator effectively
For best results, gather accurate trip details before calculating:
- Actual departure and arrival times (not just schedule)
- Total great-circle distance between airports
- Whether you got cancellation notice and when
- Details of any rerouting offered
- Written reason for disruption from airline communications
After calculating: how to file your claim
- Submit a written claim directly to the airline customer relations team.
- Attach boarding pass, booking confirmation, and proof of delay/cancellation.
- State the amount claimed under EU261 and your bank details.
- If refused, escalate to the national enforcement body or ADR/court route.
Frequently asked questions
Does EU261 apply after Brexit?
For many routes involving the UK, equivalent passenger-rights rules continue to apply (often referred to as UK261). The calculator uses a practical EU/EEA/UK/CH coverage check to provide an estimate.
Can I claim for a missed connection?
Potentially yes, if your final arrival delay meets threshold and your ticketed journey is eligible. Through-ticket and operating carrier details matter.
Can I claim both compensation and expenses?
Often yes. Fixed compensation under EU261 is separate from duty-of-care costs like meals, hotel, and transport during disruption.
Final note
This EU261 compensation calculator is designed to give you a confident first estimate and help you decide whether to pursue a claim. If your case is borderline or high value, consider a specialist review before accepting an airline rejection.